Research just published confirms significant ocean acidification across much of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It reports strong natural variations in ocean chemistry in some parts of the Caribbean that could affect the way reefs respond to future ocean acidification.
"Such short-term variability has often been underappreciated and may prove an important consideration when predicting the long-term impacts of ocean acidification to coral reefs….
The study supports other findings that ocean acidification is likely toreduce coral reef growth to critical levels before the end of thiscentury unless humans significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.While ocean chemistry across the region is currently deemed adequate tosupport coral reefs, it is rapidly changing as atmospheric carbondioxide levels rise."
Conducting the study were scientists from NOAA and the University of Miami. The rest of the article is available on the NOAA site.
